INTRODUCTION:

        1.    The end of chapter 18 speaks of Apollos:
                a.    He was a good man, a godly man, a saved man.
                b.    He was a man of good education and excellent skills of oratory ("eloquent").
                c.    He was a man who was "mighty in the scriptures" -- so far as he knew them.
                       1)    What Scriptures? The Old Testament.
                       2)    The New Testament was still being written at this time.
                d.    However, Apollos knew only the baptism of John. He needed (and got) the way
                       of God expounded (explained) to him "more perfectly."
        2.    Some claim Acts 19 as an issue of salvation and not Scriptural baptism and assembly,
               but we will note:
                a.    These men were already saved.
                b.    Upon questioning them, Paul did not try to lead them to Christ.
        3.    What is the definition of a Scriptural New Testament church?
                a.    "A called out assembly . . . "
                       1)    These 12 men certainly constituted an assembly.
                       2)    Matt. 18:20 -- What is the minimum number required for an assembly?
                b.    ". . . of Scripturally baptized believers . . . "
                       1)    Uh oh! These had only John's baptism.
                       2)    With this, we have already proven its authority had ended.
        4.    Another evidence that this was not a Scriptural assembly -- they knew nothing of
                the Holy Spirit.
                a.    I Cor. 3:16-17 ; Eph. 2:22.
                b.    If someone indwells you, you'll know it!
                c.    The Holy Spirit indwells individuals (Romans 8:9, 14), but He indwells
                        churches as well.
                d.    These had not even heard of the One who was supposed to indwell them!
        5.    Thus, when Paul came to Ephesus:
                a.    Who did he find?    b.   What did he do?    c.    How did they react?

  I.    WHO HE FOUND.

        A.    Certain Disciples -- Vs. 1.
                1.    These were men Apollos had led to the Lord.
                        a.    Note (from chap. 18) his "evangelistic spirit."
                        b.    Note his strength in the Word.
                        c.    Note his message of salvation -- "Jesus is the Christ."
               2.    They definitely had an assembly. Their number was 12.

        B.    Saved Disciples.
                1.    These were, without a doubt, saved men.
                2.    Acts 18:25a, 28 -- What did Apollos preach?
                3.    Acts 19:2 -- "since ye believed?"
                4.    These were baptized with John's baptism.
                        a.    Vs. 4 -- John only baptized believers -- "baptism of repentance."
                       b.    Matt. 3:5-9 -- John required evidence of regeneration, even refusing
                               baptism to some without it.
                5.    Also note, vs. 5.  Paul didn't try to get these men saved, or "saved again."
                        a.    He showed them (vs. 4) proper authority in baptism.
                        b.    They did not make a new profession; they simply received proper baptism.
                6.    One thing this shows us: People can be saved without baptism and without being
                        a member of a Scriptural church.

        C.    Sincere Disciples.
                1.    These men had a "form" of baptism, but it was not Scriptural baptism.
                2.    John 3:25-30 ; (John 4:1-2).
                        a.    What is happening? John's authority is on the way out, and church
                                authority is on the way in.
                        b.    Matt. 14:1-2 -- The death of John the Baptist.
                        c.    Did John, could John have delegated his authority to baptize to any of
                               his disciples?
                               1)    John 1:6-7.
                               2)    Luke 3:16 -- Part of John's work was baptizing converts, preparing
                                       the material for the Lord's church.
                               3)    "One mightier than I cometh . . . "  (Who is he talking about?)
                               4)    John 4:1-2.
                               5)    John's baptism and the authority behind it, ended with John.
                3.    These men were honest, sincere, and serious, but they were wrong!
                4.    Many today are sincere in their religion, but they are sincerely wrong!

 II.    WHAT HE DID.

        1.    Paul asked these two simple question.
                a.    "Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed."
                b.    "Unto what then were ye baptized?"
        2.    These are not questions of salvation, but baptism.
                a.    Who was the Holy Spirit given to?  John 16:7, 13.  (Yes, He indwells believers.)
                b.    Who was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit given to on the day of Pentecost?
                        The church.
                c.    Paul was interested in their baptism because they claimed to have authority.
        3.    Following these questions, Paul presented Jesus to them as "him which should come
                after him (John)."
                a.    What have we just read that John said -- "He must increase, but I must
                        decrease."
                b.    This is what Paul declared unto them -- proper authority in baptism.
                c.    How do you get this?

  III.    HOW THEY RESPONDED.

         1.   Vs. 5 -- "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
                a.    "Name" = authority.
                b.    "They were baptized by the authority of Jesus."
                c.    Where is that authority?  Matthew 28:19-20.
        2.    Notice, these didn't seek to be saved; they were already.
                a.    Prior to this, they were identified with John -- by John's baptism.
                b.    Now, they are identified with Jesus through proper, Scriptural baptism.
        3.    Then, what happened?
                a.    Vs. 6 -- They gave evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
                b.    This is the same evidence the church at Jerusalem gave on the day of
                       Pentecost -- Acts 2.
                       1)    TONGUES = unstudied languages.
                       2)    PROPHESIED = declared openly the Word of God.

  CONCLUSION:

        1.    This incident also refutes the idea of a universal, invisible church. If all the saved
                are "in the church,"
                a.    Why did these need to be baptized at all -- whether by John, Paul, a New
                        Testament church, or anyone?
                b.    Why didn't they know about the Holy Spirit?
                        (If they were "in the church," and He is in the church -- and we have already
                        shown that He is?)

        2.    Some in the Lord's churches will take a message such as this lightly, or scoff at it.
                a.    Say such issues as Scriptural baptism and Scriptural churches are issues
                       only preachers are interested in.
                b.    Say, "I'm saved, and that's all I care about."

        3.    However, after salvation, proper service and pleasing our Lord are important.
                a.    So is storing up rewards -- II Tim. 2:5 ; Eph. 3:21.
                b.    Rev. 4:10-11 -- One day we will want rewards (crowns) so we may
                       worship our King.
                c.    "Must I Go And Empty Handed?"

        4.    The only place of true service to God is in and through a Scriptural New
                Testament church.
                a.    The requisite to membership in such a church is, first, salvation.
                b.    Next, Scriptural baptism is not only necessary, but required by our Lord.

        5.    Do you want to glorify God?
                a.    Are you saved?
                b.    Have you been scripturally baptized?
                c.    Are you serving Him through a true New Testament church?